Wild Turkey Bourbon® Petitions President Obama for Pardoned Turkey

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Wild Turkey® Bourbon knows a thing or two about tradition, having distilled award-winning bourbon while sharing its namesake with the Thanksgiving icon for nearly 100 years. Indigenous to the Kentucky Hills, both the Wild Turkey and Wild Turkey Bourbon embody a '#NeverTamed' spirit of courage and character. Although millions of turkeys meet their fate at holiday dinner tables around the country, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin famously called for the Wild Turkey to be the U.S. National Bird. As a champion of our feathered friend and namesake, Wild Turkey Bourbon is petitioning President Obama to receive the Presidentially Pardoned Wild Turkey to offer it a home on its newly expanded distillery grounds in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. 

Dating back to the Truman administration in the 1940's, each November the National Turkey Federation donates a live turkey to the President of the United States, which the Commander-in-Chief promptly pardons. The pardoned turkeys become instant national celebrities, with some living out their post-pardon life roaming George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, while others have served as honorary grand marshals of the Thanksgiving Day Parade at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Wild Turkey hopes to give this one fortunate fowl a prominent position as official "spokesbird" at the Wild Turkey Distillery, where this pardoned turkey would reside full-time in luxe accommodations at one of the largest whiskey distilleries in North America.

As part of the request, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell will send a personal note to President Obama to receive the pardoned turkey, offering him the role of the bourbon brand's official spokesbird and brand mascot.

"Benjamin Franklin once described the Wild Turkey as a 'Bird of Courage' and even called for it to be the National Bird," said Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller. "Wild Turkey Bourbon is all about tradition and honoring our heritage, so what better call-to-action could there be than offering a sanctuary for the pardoned turkey," added Russell.

Wild Turkey Thanksgiving Cocktails Created by Justin August Fairweather of Evelyn

More Than a Barrel Full O' Turkeys
1 part Wild Turkey 101
1 part Wild Turkey Spiced
1 dash Absinthe
½ part orange juice
½ part pineapple
½ part oz lemon
1 bar spoon cardamom-infused grenadine
Bring to slow boil, dissolve all sugar. Cover and let sit off heat for 20 minutes, strain, cool and store.

Cardamom-infused grenadine
1 cup Pomm Juice
2 cups sugar       
20 cardamom pods.

Shake and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with orange spiral.

Smashed Pumpkin
1 part Wild Turkey Spiced
¼ part almond liqueur
¼ part cinnamon schnapps
2 part pumpkin pie filling
½  part heavy cream
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Sprinkle fresh nutmeg grated on top

About #Nevertamed
In a move designed to bring the brand squarely into the hearts and minds of the Millennial consumer, last month Wild Turkey® Bourbon kicked off its largest marketing program in the brand's history - #Nevertamed. In this wide-reaching campaign, Wild Turkey turns its attention to the unsurpassed quality in the bottle, a quality that has never wavered since the brand's inception in the heart of Bourbon country – Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

#Nevertamed refers to the fact that while the spirit that's at the heart of Wild Turkey Bourbon can be bottled, it has never been tamed.  Wild Turkey refuses to change the production process of its award-winning Bourbon, even when it might be cheaper or easier to do so. 

For additional information on Wild Turkey Bourbon, please visit us at Nevertamed.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @WildTurkey.

About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM).  At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry.  The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka.  The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's.  Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Campari America manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell's Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolon® Tequila, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaca and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland's® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Cana® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Gruppo Campari

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates ('Gruppo Campari'), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. The Group's portfolio, with over 50 brands, span spirits, the core business, wines and soft drinks. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton, Campari, Cinzano, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 15 plants and 4 wineries worldwide and has its own distribution network in 16 countries. The Group employs over 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com.

Media images are available at: http://www.camparigroup.com/en/press_media/image_gallery/campari_download.jsp

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